Organisers should contact the ICMS Centre Manager to discuss ideas and dates before submitting their proposal for any of the Mathematics for Humanity initiatives.

For activities within the UK, at least one of the applicants on any proposal should be eligible for funding from the UKRI.  For applications to the MFH-Activities Worldwide programme, this restriction will be waived. All proposals are externally reviewed.

Timelines

Applicants should bear in mind the time needed to plan their activity if their proposal is accepted. For example, research workshops or schools typically take 12 months to organise, whilst other activities can be arranged within a shorter timescale.

The Scientific Committee will come to a decision within 10-12 weeks of the submission deadline. For the current round.

We anticipate that there will be two deadlines for application in 2025, likely in June and December.

Processing of Proposals

When formal proposals are received the Director will, after consultation with the members of the Mathematics for Humanity Scientific Committee, appoint referees to review the proposal. One referee will be chosen from the list supplied by the proposer and the others by recommendations from the Scientific Committee. Note that the committee cannot normally consider a proposal that receives fewer than three referees’ reports. Once sufficient referees’ reports are received the Director will send the referees' comments to the proposer and invite a response. The Director may ask for a proposal to be revised in the light of the referees' comments.

The Committee will be presented with the proposal (and revision where this has been requested), the referees' comments and proposers' responses. Each member will be asked to score all proposals on the basis of the referees' comments, and their judgement on how well the project aligns to the objectives of the particular theme. The scores are:

1. Excellent and likely to have a high impact
2. Very good. Likely to further the theme’s objectives
3. Satisfactory. Has potential but needs revision
4. Does not meet criteria

Normally, a minimal number of six scores should be received for a proposal to proceed. For each committee member who abstains because of conflict of interest, the minimum number will be reduced by one. For example, if one member is conflicted, the quorum becomes five, if two are conflicted, it becomes four. The rationale is that the conflicted member should not influence the outcome by scoring but should be regarded as holding a position.

The collated scores and comments will be circulated to the Committee, inviting email discussion.  An average mark of 2 or less will normally be approved for funding.  This is subject to an overall consensus in the committee that the outcome is reasonable. In the rare instance that consensus cannot be reached, the decision will be relegated to the ICMS Scientific Steering Committee.

Once consensus is reached, the Director will recommend to the ICMS Management Committee those proposals that should be funded, bearing in mind the resources available and the need to produce a balanced programme.

Funding available

Please read the general guidelines on the basis on which ICMS can distribute funds. The indicative budget for each event type is included in the specific information for each activity type and can be discussed with the Centre Manager.

How to submit your proposal

You will find brief guidelines and links to the forms below.  If you have any questions about what information is needed please contact the Centre Manager.

For all applications, we stress that a strong case for the potential of the activity to lead to the enhancement of human welfare is critical to funding.

Research-in-groups

Link to application form.

The programme will enable researchers to spend time in intensive research collaboration at ICMS away from teaching and administration. We welcome applications from mid-career researchers, and particularly those who have had interruptions in their research careers, for example through a heavy administrative burden or caring responsibilities.

In addition to the brief description in the form, you should upload a proposal in support of for your Research-in-Groups application that details its objectives and illustrates how it will further the goals of the particular theme.  The proposal should be no more than four A4 pages in length. You should also send a summary c.v. for each participant, publication details etc. It will be expected that the period being supported should be committed 100% by the participants to the proposed research.   ICMS will provide collaborative office space, provide a per diem towards daily expenses, and can usually make a substantial contribution towards the costs of accommodation and travel to Edinburgh. ICMS cannot offer reimbursement to universities for teaching or lecturing expenses.

Research course or seminar

Link to application form.

A group of researchers can propose a course or a seminar on topics relevant to one of the three themes. These should be planned as hybrid events with regular meetings in Edinburgh that can also be accessed online. Proposals should come with a detailed plan for attracting interest and for the dissemination of ideas.

In addition to a short description, you should provide a proposal in support of for your research course or seminar application. You should also send a summary c.v. for each organiser including publication details etc. The proposal should be no more than six A4 pages in length and should include the following information:

• Title and scientific organisers
• Objectives of the course or seminar series
• Current activity in the area
• The expected outcome or impact of the course/seminar
• Who is the audience: provide information on how you will ensure that the series has diverse and well-balanced participation from under-represented groups.
• Demonstrate how you will reach a substantial number and range of researchers and students
• Dissemination of ideas from the course/seminar
• Timing of the course/seminar – frequency and length
• Plans for collaboration with networks or institutions in LMICs that can help to organise the hybrid events

Research Workshops

Link to application form.

Groups of researchers are invited to propose research workshops in the standard ICMS to further the objective of any of the three themes.  These events are focused workshops over around 5 days, involving 30-80 people that address a significant research theme aligned to one of the three themes.  Workshops can be held in Edinburgh or elsewhere in the UK under the ICMS@ programme.

In addition to the brief description in the form, you should upload a proposal in support of for your research workshop.  This should be no more than six pages and should include the following:

• The objectives, novelty and timeliness of the proposed workshop and its alignment with the goals of the theme
• The national and international context (e.g. relationship to other initiatives)
• The expected outcome and impact of the meeting, including how (directly or indirectly) the UK community will benefit
• Key participants and their affiliations, indicating their discipline and specialism
• Plans for the participation of under-represented groups, including women and younger researchers and, for some themes, scientists from particular regions
• Plans for the dissemination of the results of the workshop and for any outreach or public engagement activities

ICMS can offer an indicative budget of around £30,000 which can be allocated in a number of ways – for example this will typically provide accommodation, subsistence and contributions towards travel for around 30 participants. You will be asked to provide details on your budget including any other sources of income that you may have or will apply for.

Research School

Link to application form.

Organisers are invited to propose hybrid schools of two weeks length.  These should come with substantial planning, a coherent structure, and be aimed towards the specific audience identified in that particular theme.

In addition to the brief description in the form, you should upload a proposal in support of your research school.  This should be no more than six pages and should include the following: 

• The objectives of the research school and its alignment to the theme’s goals
• Details of current activity in the area, emphasising the novelty of your proposal and outlining the likely international ‘market’.
• An indicative programme illustrating the topics covered and the method of teaching and dissemination. 
• A description of how you will structure your school, how you will manage a hybrid event, and how you plan to foster networking between the different audiences and between audience and lecturers.
• The expected outcome or impact of the research school, including any follow up activity such as a research workshop
• The audience: provide information on how you will ensure that the series has diverse and well-balanced participation from under-represented groups. For example, proposers are encouraged to select students from parts of the world that would significantly benefit from communication and interaction in a non-political setting in order to enhance mutual understanding via the process of striving for common intellectual goals.

ICMS can offer an indicative budget of around £60,000 which can be allocated in a number of ways – you are encouraged to contact the Centre Manager to discuss options.  You will be asked to provide details on your budget including any other sources of income that you may have or will apply for.

Knowledge Exchange for Humanity: Collaboration Between Academia and External Partners with a Commitment to Human Welfare

Link to application form.

Applicants are invited to propose knowledge exchange activities that are aligned with any of the three themes. Activities can be held in Edinburgh, elsewhere in the UK (ICMS@), at a global location (ICMS Worldwide), or online, and should form a collaboration between academia and external partners with a commitment to human welfare. The ICMS is flexible in the types of knowledge exchange activities it can support, including but not limited to study groups, workshops that aim to form communities and partnerships or share best practice, and research in groups.

In addition to the brief description in the form, you should upload a proposal in support of your application. This should be no more than six pages and should include the following:

• The objective, novelty and relevance of the proposed activity and its alignment with the goals of the theme
• The national and international context (e.g. relationship to other initiatives)
• The expected outcome and impact of the activity, including how (directly or indirectly) the UK community will benefit
• Key participants and their affiliations, indicating their discipline and specialism
• A description of the substantial involvement of external partners (e.g. contribution of money or time, part of the organising committee, participating in activity)
• Plans for the participation of under-represented groups, including women and early career researchers, and for some themes, scientists from particular regions
• Plans for the dissemination of the results of the activity and for any outreach or public engagement activities

We anticipate requests of up to £15,000 which can be allocated in a number of ways – for example, this will typically allow for two or three day in person activities for 30-40 participants. Requests for larger sums may be considered on a case-by-case basis. The ICMS can provide funding for accommodation, catering and modest contributions to travel expenses (where possible, delegates are asked to seek cover for travel expenses from their home institution). You will be asked to provide details on your budget including any other sources of income that you may have or will apply for.